JULY 18 • 2024 | 27 J N I n youth group, we played a game called Two Truths and a Lie. Someone would make three statements and the group guessed which two state- ments were honest and which was an intentional untruth. In this last year of rising antisemitism, I think that the American Jewish com- munity is playing the same game; but we are confused over which statement is the untruth: 1) the Jewish people feels profoundly alone at this moment; 2) We are deeply blessed to be Jewish even in this moment; and 3) One cannot feel alone and blessed at the same time. This week, the Torah tells us the story of King Balak, who ruled over territories east of the Jordan River during the days of the Israelite Exodus from Egypt. Balak saw the Israelites coming and feared their might and their military successes even though the Israelites sought only to pass through Balak’s land on their way to Israel. King Balak refused to let them pass unharmed, but his army was no match for God and our ancestors. As such, King Balak sum- moned the services of the evil prophet Bilam, who followed them and made his way to a cliff, where he tried to look down on our ancestors. Gazing upon our people, the evil prophet Bilam declared two statements which define us today. First, “It is a people that shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations” (Numbers 23:9). Whether Bilam uttered these words as a curse or as a description is unclear. What we do know, however, what thousands of years of Jew hatred affirms, when we are alone, we are vulnerable. Second, Bilam proclaimed, “How goodly are your tents, O Jacob; your dwelling places, O Israel” (Numbers 24:5). Moved by what he saw — perhaps the joy we Jews experience in Jewish living and the strength and sense of safety that come from Jewish peoplehood — Bilam could only offer us praise. Thousands of years later, we are the inheritors of Bilam’s declarations; today both of his statements ring true. We are alone and we are also incredibly blessed; moreover, it is a lie to think that we cannot be both at the very same time. As we march forward, we must embrace both Bilam’s truths about the Jewish expe- rience. As a people, we are, by and large, alone. But in our aloneness, we have each other and, therefore, we must invest ourselves ever more deeply in the joy of Jewish living and in the strength and safety that come from our identity as a “king- dom of priests and holy nation” (Exodus 19:6). In our aloneness, we are still, nevertheless, profoundly bless- ed … so long as we choose to accept the blessing. Rabbi Aaron Starr is a spiritual leader of Congregation Shaarey Zedek in Southfield and author of the recently published book Don’t Forget to Call Home: Lessons from God and Grandpa on a Life of Meaning. Two Truths & A Lie SPIRIT TORAH PORTION Rabbi Aaron Starr Parshat Balak: Numbers 22:2-25:9; Micah 5:6-6:8. How do you know when... ... Your dad’s forgetfulness is more Your dad’s forgetfulness is more than simple aging? than simple aging? Your aunt’s mobility makes it unsafe Your aunt’s mobility makes it unsafe for her to be home alone? for her to be home alone? The changes you’re experiencing mean The changes you’re experiencing mean it’s time to get some help? it’s time to get some help? Whether you are seeking answers Whether you are seeking answers to questions, or aren’t sure what to questions, or aren’t sure what questions to ask, the experienced questions to ask, the experienced Geriatric Care Managers at Geriatric Care Managers at ElderCare Solutions of Michigan can help. ElderCare Solutions of Michigan can help. ELDERCARE SOLUTIONS of Michigan Your partner in aging well eldercaresolutionsofmi.org • 248.592.1944 Call today!